Tenant died - Landlord Forum thread 341124

Tenant died by Leilah (AZ) on November 25, 2015 @17:57

Not in the unit, thank god. M2M, been with me over 10 years. A hoarder, but I forced her to hire a maid as a condition of tenancy when I found out, so it's clean, just cluttered. No will. 1 out of state relative. Rent is due in 5 days. It's on auto-pay to process the 25th (today) so I should get it. Unit is empty (of people, she lived alone) now, but secure. Utilities on.

What next?

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Re: Tenant died by Garry (Iowa) on November 25, 2015 @19:59	[ Reply ]

You need to contact the relative and find out what they are going to do regarding the estate. For now, as long as the rent is paid, you must treat the situation as if the T is still alive and living there. Go to your bank on Monday to see if the rent got paid. Find out from the relative if they are the executor of the estate, and if they want you to change locks. Remember, she probably had friends (along with the maid), that she may have trusted with a key. Now , with the T gone, those same friends could come in with a key your T gave to them, and possibly take small valuables such as jewelry or money she may have had in the house, and no one will ever know that its missing. You, as the LL, could be held liable if things come up missing. Better to protect yourself now by changing locks, than to try to prove your innocence latter on if things go missing.

Re: Tenant died